When Is Cockroach Season in Pennsylvania?

The last thing you want to see when you turn on the lights in the middle of the night is a roach scurrying across the floor. But it is an all too common sight in the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that 14 million households live with roaches around the country. And Pennsylvania is no exception. Roaches are one of the most common pests in the state. Read on to discover the answers to your most common questions, including when is cockroach season in Pennsylvania? And what are the signs of a roach infestation?

Cockroach Overview

Millions of years before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, cockroaches existed. The oldest cockroach fossil ever found was over 300 million years old. These ancient insects have been terrorizing humans for as long as they’ve been on Earth. It’s probably one of the few things you and your ancestors have in common.

Cockroaches are adaptable creatures. They have no problem thriving in most environments, which is rather unfortunate for humans. And despite their pre-historic roots, little has changed in their appearance over the centuries.

You can identify the cockroach by its unmistakable flattened, oval body shape and its reddish-brown to dark-brown color. They have long antennae and six legs covered in tiny spines. And while most of them possess wings, they can only fly short distances. But let’s be honest, a cockroach flying at all is a nightmare scenario.

They are excellent pests because they reproduce quickly, can survive long periods without food and water, and are extremely difficult to control or eliminate.

Are Cockroaches Common in Pennsylvania?

While Pennsylvania may not have as big of a cockroach problem as the Southeast, they are still a common sight in many households. In fact, they are still one of the most common pests in the state. And these pests can be a problem in any home, whether clean or dirty.

They mainly live outdoors but have no problem finding their way inside when searching for food and water. And they love warm, moist areas near a food source. You are most likely to see them crawling around kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Eradicating a cockroach infestation is essential for the health and well-being of residents. These insects can carry diseases, cause food poisoning, and trigger allergy symptoms.

Cockroach Species in Pennsylvania

There are around 4,000 cockroach species around the world. But only 55 are found in the United States. And out of that 55, only five are a common sight in Pennsylvania.

Here are the five types of cockroaches found in Pennsylvania:

• German cockroach
• Oriental cockroach (water bug)
• American cockroach
• Brown-banded cockroach
• Wood cockroach

Check out this article for an in-depth breakdown of each cockroach species found in Pennsylvania.

What Month Are Cockroaches Most Active in Pennsylvania?

Now for the part that no one wants to hear: cockroaches are active year-round. Unfortunately, these pests are not deterred by too much of anything. As long as temperatures indoors remain at least 50 degrees, cockroaches can be an issue and keep reproducing. However, their populations can be more prevalent during the warmer seasons in spring and summer. The wood cockroach, for instance, is most prevalent in late spring to early summer. This period is their mating season, so you are more likely to encounter them.

You may notice fewer cockroaches during the winter. When temperatures drop below a certain degree, roaches go into an inactive state, where their metabolism slows. Even if they are in your home, you are less likely to notice them.

Cockroaches prefer warm, moist climates. So as the days get longer and hotter, you can expect an uptick in cockroaches. They are most active from May to October in Pennsylvania.

What Are the Signs of a Roach Infestation?

Are you noticing more and more cockroaches around your home? Could it be an infestation? 

Here are the most common signs of a roach infestation.

• Finding tiny black specks around your home. Their droppings look like pieces of pepper. And they can be found in drawers, pantries, cupboards, along baseboards, and corners of rooms.
• They shed their skins five to eight times during their life. Finding shed skins around your home is a good indication you have a cockroach problem.
• You may also find egg capsules, which look similar to a dry kidney bean.
• Brown smear marks on horizontal surfaces.
• Big infestations can have a foul odor. An oily, musty smell is a strong indicator that a large infestation is present.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Melinda Fawver/Shutterstock.com